Vehicle leveler with safety features

Abstract

A vehicle leveler includes a first portion which has a leading edge and a trailing edge; the trailing edge is disposed further from the driveway than the leading edge. The vehicle leveler also includes a second portion which has a leading edge and a trailing edge; the leading edge of the second portion is attached to the trailing edge of the first portion and the leading edge of the second portion is disposed further from the driveway than the trailing edge of the second portion. The second portion also includes an extension portion. The vehicle leveler has at least one tension bar connecting the first portion on a proximal end and a lift cylinder on a distal end as well as at least one tension strap. When the vehicle leveler is in an elevated position the tension bar and tension strap keeps the lift cylinder from accidentally shifting.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A vehicle leveler for use with a driveway comprising:
 a first portion having a leading edge and a trailing edge wherein the trailing edge is disposed further from the driveway than the leading edge and forms a ramp section, 
 a second portion having a leading edge and a trailing edge wherein the leading edge of the second portion is attached to the trailing edge of the first portion and the leading edge of the second portion is disposed further from the driveway than the trailing edge of the second portion, the second portion also including an extension portion which extends from the trailing edge of the second portion toward a rear of the leveler and includes a substantially flat section disposed about parallel with the substantially flat driveway; 
 opposing side portions which extend the length of and contact the first portion, second portion and extension portion, the opposing side portions having a top surface which forms a walkway; and 
 at least one tension bar connecting the first portion on a proximal end and a lift cylinder on a distal end, 
 
       wherein the lift cylinder cannot accidentally shift when the vehicle leveler is in an elevated position. 
     
     
       2. The vehicle leveler of  claim 1  further including at least one tension strap under the first portion, second portion or extension portion. 
     
     
       3. The vehicle leveler of  claim 1  wherein the at least one tension is two opposing tension bars. 
     
     
       4. The vehicle leveler of  claim 1  wherein two or more vehicle levelers can be installed adjacent to each other and an extended walkway surface can be removably installed between each vehicle leveler. 
     
     
       5. The vehicle leveler of  claim 4  wherein the extended walkway surface and top surface form a large walkway surface for a vehicle driver to use. 
     
     
       6. The vehicle leveler of  claim 1  wherein each vehicle leveler has two, opposing side portions each with a top surface, an opposing side portion and top surface together each form a separate walkway. 
     
     
       7. The vehicle leveler of  claim 1  wherein the walkway can extend the complete length of both the second portion and extension portion, or alternatively, the walkway can extend only a portion of the length of the second portion and extension portion. 
     
     
       8. The vehicle leveler of  claim 1  wherein the first portion and second portion are each unitary structures which are separate from each other. 
     
     
       9. The vehicle leveler of  claim 1  wherein the second portion including the extension portion can be moved between a lowered position and a raised position to accommodate varying dock heights for loading and unloading of cargo from vehicles. 
     
     
       10. The vehicle leveler of  claim 1  wherein the walkway and extended walkway surface include metal grating for safe contact for a vehicle driver walking on the walkway or extended walkway surface. 
     
     
       11. A vehicle leveler for use with a substantially flat driveway, the leveler capable of movement between a lowered position and a raised position, the leveler in the lowered position comprising:
 a first portion having a leading edge at a front of the leveler and an inclined section wherein the inclined section is inclined from the substantially flat driveway at between about 1 and 15 degrees from parallel with the substantially flat driveway; 
 a second portion extending from the incline section toward a rear of the leveler including a substantially flat section wherein the substantially flat section is declined toward the substantially flat driveway at between about 1 and 15 degrees from parallel with the substantially flat driveway; 
 an extension portion extending from the second portion toward a rear of the leveler and including a substantially flat section disposed about parallel with the substantially flat driveway; 
 opposing side portions which extend the length of and contact the first portion, second portion and extension portion, the opposing side portions having a top surface which forms a walkway; and 
 at least one tension bar connecting the first portion on a proximal end and a lift cylinder on a distal end, 
 
       wherein the lift cylinder cannot accidentally shift when the vehicle leveler is in an elevated position. 
     
     
       12. The vehicle leveler of  claim 11  further including at least one tension strap under the first portion, second portion or extension portion.